Source Lunch with ... Terrence S. Robinson

Executive director of Magnet's Early College Early
Career program

Terrence Robinson's background is in business development. But, he said, Case Western Reserve University's MBA program "completely changed" how he viewed his career.

"Weatherhead's MBA program is deeply centered on discovering what you are passionate about and what drives you beyond a salary," he said. "In discovering my passion, I realized that there were three areas that truly inspired me: education, economic development and entrepreneurship."

Robinson went on to work with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, helping with what was then known as the Academic Transformation Plan, and in Cuyahoga Community College's workforce and economic development division. Today, he leads Magnet's Early College Early Career program, which combines all three areas of his passion. When fully implemented, the program will help students earn work experience and college credit while still in high school.

Q&A

Can you describe the Early College Early Career program?

It is a unique collaboration between high schools, community colleges and manufacturers to build a sustainable and skilled workforce. ECEC takes local high school students and leads them through a two-year paid internship with a local manufacturer that trains them on useful skills (such as CNC machining and welding) and helps them develop critical thinking, a strong work ethic and teamwork. ECEC gives students the opportunity to receive hands-on, real-world training while making money to pay for college. In addition, participating students can earn college credit and collect technical certifications that can help them get further in their manufacturing career.

How does this program fit into students' regular schedules?

Our number one criteria when identifying a high school or school district to partner with is building leadership and superintendent buy-in. We have to have buy-in at the leadership level specifically because to build out this program will take the principal being willing to build a class schedule unique to ECEC students. If you know anything about student scheduling, then you know the time and effort that educators put into building an entire school's schedule. ECEC cohort students have a half-day schedule, where the first half of the day is at their high school, where they will complete their traditional high school courses. The second half of the day, the student will spend two days out of the week in their internship and the other three days taking College Credit Plus courses at one of our community college partners.

Why is this something valuable for students to experience?

This experience is valuable for students because it allows students to develop the technical skills they need while in high school, but maybe even more importantly, the two-year internship helps them to develop the social and cultural skills they need to have to work in a professional environment. The biggest complaint from employers, across all industries, is the lack of "soft" skills by young people. This program gives students a real-world experience that will help them to learn those necessary "soft" skills while still in high school.

How is this different from a part-time job a student might get outside of school?

This is different than a part-time job because of the companies that have partnered with the ECEC program to provide these students with an internship. Most students would not have the technical skills necessary to go into a Lincoln Electric, Swagelok, Parker Hannifin, Nordson, Oatey, Fredon or Universal Metals and be able to get a job.

So why manufacturing? What makes the industry a good fit for an education-business partnership like this?

Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing never left Northeast Ohio. ... Given how important manufacturing is to our region's economy, it only made sense that this industry would be a perfect fit this type of partnership. Also, manufacturing companies have a long history of using apprenticeships as a way to develop their future workforce. Now that we are seeing a resurgence in public support for both youth apprenticeships and traditional apprenticeship programs, the manufacturing industry is just a natural fit for the ECEC program.

Are there other industries where you think a program like this would work well?

Yes, I think that the Early College Early Career model would work perfect in the health care, IT and biotech industries.

Is there anything you'd like to see the educational system doing differently as they prepare students for college and careers?

The only thing that I think the educational system can do differently as they prepare students for college and careers is to minimize the hyper-focus on standardized testing. I would love to see our education system move away from this environment of over-testing our students. Let educators get back to helping students discover their strengths and grow as individuals.

Five things

All-time favorite movie: "The Godfather," parts 1 and 2

Book he'd recommend: "Start With Why"

What he wanted to be when he grew up: An actor (though he never pursued it)

Where you can find him outside of work: Attending or coaching one of his kids' games, whether it's football, baseball, basketball or soccer season

Best vacation spot: Dominican Republic

Lunch spot

Cafe Sausalito

1301 East 9th Street, Cleveland

The meal

One Chef's Mista salad and one Sweetwater salad, both with waters

The vibe

A quiet, spacious restaurant on the second floor of the Galleria

The bill

$17.01, plus tip

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